So I’m going to try and outline what types of photos are needed
BEFORE you post, so it will save you time and you won’t need to
Run back and forth between the forum and your mount, dragging your camera
With you! LOL

If possible take the mount outside, so the lighting is good.
If that isn’t possible, just use whatever means you have to get enough light for good,
clear pictures.

Hope these tips help you out.

My own personal preference is that you post the pictures BEFORE the mount is dry.
This way things can still be moved or adjusted.
Once the mount is dry, redoing things is MUCH more involved.

DO however, blow the fur as dry as possible before posting the pics.
A nice fluffy animal is easier to work with, as you can tell where the final hair
patterns will be, if it is blown dry and groomed.

When possible, I’m going to use live deer pictures rather than pictures of mounted
Deer in case you want to use the photos as reference.

First off we’ll start with the basic frontal shots.

We need a good picture of the brisket area.
Just squat in front of the deer so it’s a straight on shot.

Next we need a straight on shot of the head neck area.

Now we need a side shot of the whole head

A close up of the eyes

A front shot of the eyes.

A front shot of the nose

A side shot of the nose.

Additional shot you may want to take would be one from the back.

The same basic principals apply to mammals, but add a shot of the legs/paws and tail.
and blow the FUR dry before posting pics

sweet good thinkin bobbi hehe i love the critique posts but ur right the pics are almost always craptastic wonder if this could be stickied in the beginners section and gamehead section so peopel would always see it first

You might want to tell the newb that mounted that deer, that the right ear looks like it might be a bit low. Judging by the yellowing of the inner ear, I'm also going to guess they used that crappy ear epoxy from McKenzie. It wouldn't hurt if they back brushed that brow a little while it was still wet, and the edge of the deer's left ear has a spot that doesn't look very crisp.

If I may add, for newcomers. If your eyes, ears, nose and mouth do not look like your reference photo's you ain't there. If you can;t see it, then someone telling you probably wont help. And if you are the kind that can learn verbally you will probably be able to get what you need from a tutorial. You can spend alot of time trying to decipher who has the right answer, when you could be watching a video where you can actually see the application in progress. Or have it explained by someone more qualified to teach. I am not typeing this in an angry tone! This should be something that will really help and save you time. Good luck!

I would also like to add something that can't be stressed enough. reference reference reference. You don't know that you are doing something wrong because you can't see it. Thats why you are asking for a critique. Well, it doesn't always take a taxidermist to see whats wrong with your mount so don't be afraid to ask friends or family to take a look at it and give an honest opinion. Heck ask a random person walking by your house if you have to but use reference

I would also like to add something that can't be stressed enough. reference reference reference. You don't know that you are doing something wrong because you can't see it. Thats why you are asking for a critique. Well, it doesn't always take a taxidermist to see whats wrong with your mount so don't be afraid to ask friends or family to take a look at it and give an honest opinion. Heck ask a random person walking by your house if you have to but use reference

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The only problem with that is most people on the street and especially family don't know shit from shinola when it comes to a good mount, or they don't wanna hurt your feelings by saying "it looks aweful"
We aren't known here for being a kindly group of folks when it comes to critiques, but you will get an HONEST one.
and yes I definitely agree with the using reference pics or better yet 3D models.

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